Effective treatment of hemospermia by liquid embolization of a small pelvic arteriovenous malformation

Pelvic arteriovenous malformation treated by superselective transcatheter venous and arterial embolization

We describe a rare case of hematuria and hemospermia associated with pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in a male patient treated by transcatheter embolization. Understanding AVM hemodynamics contributes to the elucidation of its pathology and improves the outcome of embolization. In the present case, multiple arteriolar components shunted to the initial part of a single dominant outflow vein. Superselective embolization of a draining vein and feeding artery with an n-butyl cyanoacrylate/lipiodol mixture and polyvinyl alcohol particles was effective in terms of shunt disappearance and minimizing the need for subsequent arterial embolization.

Hematospermia associated with congenital arteriovenous malformation of internal iliac vessels

The presence of blood in the ejaculate is called hematospermia or hemospermia. While often perceived as a symptom of little significance, hematospermia can cause great concern to men who experience it. We report an unusual case of hematospermia associated with pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A 60-year-old man who visited our hospital complaining of hematospermia and pollakisuria was found to have AVM and aneurysmal changes in the left side of the pelvis using computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated with steel coil embolization of the left inferior gluteal artery, and after the procedure the hematospermia and pollakisuria remained absent without flare-ups.

Hematospermia: imaging findings

Hematospermia is an anxiety provoking but otherwise generally benign and self-limited condition that is infrequently associated with significant underlying pathology, and is most often considered to be idiopathic in nature. Management with routine clinical evaluation, watchful waiting, and reassurance generally suffice without further diagnostic workup or treatment. Noninvasive imaging may play an important role in the diagnostic workup of men with hematospermia, particularly in those who are >40 years old, have other associated symptoms or signs of disease, or have persistence of hematospermia. Many entities may be encountered in association with hematospermia at imaging, and specific therapeutic interventions may be used if certain treatable underlying pathologies are coincidentally detected. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the potential etiologies, diagnostic workup, imaging techniques, relevant male pelvic anatomy, imaging appearance of specific associated pathologies, and treatment for hematospermia.

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation in male patients: a rare cause of urological symptoms and role of embolization

OBJECTIVES

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformations (pAVM) are rare in male patients. The purpose of our study was to obtain information about the presenting symptoms, differential diagnosis, radiological diagnosis and therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The record of two men with congenital pAVM were reviewed to evaluate the initial symptomatology, diagnostic examinations and findings, therapeutic procedures and clinical outcome. Furthermore, our data are compared to the findings of all men reported in the literature.

RESULTS

Including the two cases reported by us, the data on 17 men with congenital pAVM could be analyzed. Most men presented with unspecific symptoms like pelvic discomfort, pain, impotence or dysuria. The radiological diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by computed tomography (CT) and was confirmed by angiography in all cases. Therapy consisted of surgical excision in nine cases, embolization in four cases, embolization and surgery in three cases and medical supervision in one case.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic arteriovenous malformations in male patients are rare. Because of the lack of specific symptoms, they are difficult to diagnose. CT or MRI and arteriography make the diagnosis. Intra-arterial embolization can be considered as the first line treatment.

[Hemospermia: diagnosis and therapeutic aspects. Seven case reports]

Hemospermia or hematospermia is a common benign condition, but its prevalence remains unknown and can result from several causes. The aetiology is idiopathic in about 30-70% of the cases. The hemospermia is first of inflammatory origin, in the young patients, where it is due to uretroprostatitis or orchi-epididymitis, but in the older, it is due to a benign of malignant prostatic tumors. Transrectal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can afforded the opportunity to best investigate the patients with hemospermia. Hemospermia is not an uncommon problem and in most instances has little clinical significance other than evoking much anxiety for the patient. In view of the literature, the authors discus the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of hemospermia through a series of seven cases.

Transcatheter arterial embolization of ruptured pseudoaneurysms with coils and n-butyl cyanoacrylate

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for ruptured pseudoaneurysms, which are difficult to control by coil embolization alone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ruptured pseudoaneurysms developed at the celiac trunk (n = 1), gastroduodenal artery (n = 2), pancreatic arcade (n = 1), hepatic artery (n = 3), renal artery (n = 1), and intercostal artery (n = 1) in nine patients. NBCA was mixed with iodized-oil (1:2) and injected via the 3-F microcatheter under fluoroscopic guidance, after the catheter was advanced close to the pseudoaneurysm. Coil embolization was performed to control blood flow before administration of NBCA in seven patients. NBCA was injected immediately after coil embolization in four patients. Embolization with NBCA was performed for recurrent bleeding that occurred within 1-21 days (mean, 10.7 days) after initial coil embolization in three patients. Two patients with peripheral pseudoaneurysms underwent embolization with NBCA alone.

RESULTS

The NBCA mixture was visible under fluoroscopy, and was useful in monitoring the embolization process and deciding the endpoint. Embolization was technically successful without major complications in all patients. Pseudoaneurysms and afferent and efferent arteries were eliminated immediately after embolization. Bleeding was stopped after embolization in all cases. Rebleeding did not occur in any patient during their follow-up periods of 0.7-69.5 months (mean, 17.9 months).

CONCLUSION

Embolization with NBCA is a feasible and useful treatment for ruptured pseudoaneurysms, which are difficult to control by coil embolization alone.